I had a pair of ES jeans circa 2005 (20 pounds less and a lot less curvy). I went up to a 27 (usually took a 25 or 26) and they were still REALLY tight and there was no room for my butt. I bought them because the rise was 9" (rise was a problem even then for me, though not as dramatically as now). So I assumed what you said was probably accurate.

Maya, I support the MIH jeans! I recently got a pair on Bluefly - different model, (Marakesh flare); but nevertheless the denim is gorgeous and the high rise very comfy.

I probably won't be getting them unfortunately The shipping is outrageous (they ship from the UK). The jeans are too expensive anyway, and the shipping makes them even more too-expensive. But I have my eye on them in case the price drops.

The Acne jeans are a close second. They also have a super high rise (11"), but no double button waistband.

I'm just afriad that while I wait for the Berlins to get cheaper, the Acnes might sell out. Tough call.

How about these:

http://www.bluefly.com/MiH-jea.....detail.fly

Here is the Berlin model, they might go on sale soon:

http://www.ssense.com/women/pr.....eans/15267

Ooh thanks Tanya. I saw the Londons but they are actually a narrow bootcut (like the Mary Richards). They don't look like it in that picture but you can see the leg opening measurement is 17". Although now that I have done some research the Berlin jeans also have a wider leg opening. This is terribly confusing!

I guess the Acne jeans might be my best bet since they are the least expensive and very similar in fit to MiH but without the double button closure.

Hi Maya -- the Earnest Sewn High Rise Slim Straight Leg jeans do run rather small. I just got the pair I ordered in my usual size and I can't begin to zip them. If you want to try the 28s, they seem to still be available: http://www.overstock.com/Cloth.....oduct.html

Overstock.com has free shipping for the next ten days, so the risk is minimal. The rise is indeed quite high, and the inseam a generous 34".

I just ordered those yesterday April Two steps ahead!

Also, I realized the jeans I had from 2005 that were really small and not curvy-friendly are Earl Jeans, not Earnest Sewn. So my faith is renewed.

Great -- let us know how they work out! They seem nice and soft, and I was very disappointed that they were too small. I may try the next size up, even though I'll need to have 3 inches chopped off the bottom...

Oooo, I hope the Earnest Sewns work out for you Maya! They're a great deal.

Thanks Cathy. You were spot on with your suggestion. I initially didn't go for them because they did not have my size, but then Tanya informed me that they ran small. Hopefully the 28s will fit.

Maya, please report back on them! I was curious how they fit since I am also in the market. I am in between a 28 and 29 in most brands but if ES runs small, it wouldn't work on me so your feedback would be really helpful.

Shana, I haven't had them on myself, but both April and Tanya found them to run small and this site indicates they run small as well:

http://www.rarechic.com/product_view.php?id=345

I love these (16 inch opening, 9-7/8 rise)... http://us.levi.com/product/ind.....84.3146904

And there are these (14.75 opening, 8.5 rise) ...
http://us.levi.com/product/ind.....84.3146904

Maya - I have a picture on my jeans post under what to wear of the M&O straight leg. They're a higher rise - right below my belly button. And they're a true straight leg - go over my shoes. I love them. Sad part is they're discontinuing. I found the last one in my size at my local store but I wonder if you could hunt for them. Also, I don't know what their new stuff looks like but perhaps Martin + Osa is smart and is replicating it?

Sihaya, I did look up your jeans actually, but they do not have my size anymore online and I don't have a M&O store anywhere remotely close to me.

Hi Maya,

I'm a very long waisted hourglass, so I'm always on the lookout for jeans with at least a 10" rise (which on me looks like a mid-rise). For reference, *all* the new Gap jeans (even the so-called higher waisted styles) and all of BR's jeans are much too short in the rise for me.

I also was on a quest for straight legs this fall I just got these Levis a couple of weeks ago, and so far I really like them, though I can't speak to their stretching out over time. They are a straight leg jean, and are about as close to a skinny jean as I am comfortable with on my hourglass body. They are high enough to contain the muffin top. They have quite a bit of stretch, but so far, at least, they seem to bounce back between wearings, if you know what I mean.

http://www.zappos.com/levis-pe.....mered-dark

They have a 10.5" front rise, 14" back rise, 16" leg opening. I bought the Hammered Dark color. The price is right, and with Zappos return policy, I figured it was worth a try. I ordered both a 4 and 6 because I was kind of on the borderline, size wise, but the 4 turned out to be the best fit for me.

I hope that gives you another option. I have seen some Levis 512s at Kohls (the bootcut style, anyway), but not in the color or style I got.